2020 Hindsight

The 335th day is Computer Security Day (thank you, Chris Carter, for starting my day with Beatles' Music and the "important" days celebrated.  So, on 11/30/2020, as November ends, which started with an Election and ended with a 60 Minutes Report on Election Security and, in between, a misinformation campaign on the veracity of votes has been waged, successfully for some people (on Twitter and Parler), but, thankfully, unsuccessfully in the Courts.  My 2020 Hindsight is Thank You, Chris Krebs.  Krebs came on 60 Minutes and pointed out that he, his team, and many States' Attorneys General and Secretaries of State have stood tall and ensured that their States' Elections were conducted in the safest way possible, regardless of their political leanings.  I hope that this message resonates among people, not the distrust harvested by a misinformation campaign.  I am still nervous, but I have hope.  And heading into December and the Holiday Season, hope is a good f...

The 334th day of 2020 came faster than we had hoped.  It's not that we were dreading 11/29/2020.  The day, in fact, was filled with nice and fun activities and a great lasagna dinner made by Sarah and a dessert of cookies gifted to me by an appreciative parent.  No, it was faster than hoped because it was the last day of a very nice four-day weekend for the Thanksgiving Break.  My 2020 Hindsight is a relaxing weekend.  There was a lot of work I could have been doing (and honestly, I did a BIT of it), but for the most part, it was relaxing.  And that is just what I needed.  Looking forward to our next break (Winter Break) which is extra-extended this year!

I looked it up on the Internet, and the 333d day of 2020 is Turkey Leftovers Day.  We did not know that on 11/28/2020 when we finished the leftovers from Thursday, and they were very good!  So we had a great meal on Thursday, Turkey Soup (Stew) on Friday, and then leftover platters today.  My 2020 Hindsight is Thanksgiving, Again.  With each meal, it made me think of Thanksgiving and I continued my attitude of gratitude.  It's a frame of mind we should all try to be in, and an excellent way to look forward to the Advent Season, starting tomorrow.  I hope you are all thankful (and thankfully, full) tonight and in the future!

The 332nd day of 2020 is the day after Thanksgiving so the holiday music channel is set on my car radio.  And The Holly Channel was on full blast on the way to the gym, to swim, on 11/27/2020.  And it was on our Amazon Echo as Anna and Sarah decorated the house and it'll continue to be on until the 12th day of Christmas (yes, we start later than most, but we go until the actual end of the holiday, not the end of December).  My 2020 Hindsight is the Holiday Music Season.  Christmas music makes me smile, and we need as many smiles as we can get in 2020.

Thanksgiving 2020 was a Thanksgiving like no other.  I think it was the first Thanksgiving in which I was not with my parents, or Sarah's parents.  Yes Thanksgiving on the 331st day of 2020 meant just the four Sherrs living in our household ate dinner together.  But Sarah and Anna made a great meal (and I did all of the cleanup) and we were able to dine together and feel blessed and thankful, even during a pandemic.  Yes, on 11/26/2020, my 2020 Hindsight is 20 Things for which to be Thankful.  I know it's been a rough year, but I think finding 20 things to articulate in a thankful way was a good exercise for me tonight.  I am hopeful that things get better for us all soon, and hope you can find 20 things inspiring thankfulness for you too.  Here's my list for tonight:  1. My Family  2. Our relatively good health  3. Employment has stayed consistent  4. My parents, Sarah's parents, our extended family  5. My community ...

The 330th day of 2020 was the last work day.  Because of Thanksgiving, 11/25/2020 is the end of a short work week.  That's my 2020 Hindsight for today, A Nicely Short Work Week.  I needed it.  I mean I will read email and likely look at some data this long weekend.... but I am looking forward to the down (and family) time!

I found out today that the 329th day of 2020 is part of Better Conversation Week.  Not sure if that is because it is Thanksgiving Week and there is a stereotype of hard family conversations during a large meal.  But, on 11/24/2020, we are looking at fewer large meals in the coming days as many of us are heeding the advice of the CDC and limiting our meals to our "pods."  Or maybe this resonates with me because it is also near the end of my advising sessions for the Spring 2021 Advance Registration process.  I have had dozens of Zooms over the past two weeks and threw in, for good measure, a Student Conduct advising session tonight as well.  My 2020 Hindsight is the Benefit of Good Conversations.  It has been easy to feel drained, emotionally and physically, these days.  But, these past two weeks I have also been uplifted by speaking with the amazing students from Penn and hearing how they are coping with the strange Fall semester and planning for what ...

We are counting down to Thanksgiving on the 328th day of 2020.  And, on 11/23/2020, I had my second piece of preview pecan pie.  Yes, Anna and Sarah made pecan pie last night.  One pie for Thanksgiving and one for us to test this week.  And test we did and it is DELICIOUS!  Ahhhhh, my 2020 Hindsight is Holiday Pies.  And this strange year, where we will be dining as a family of four for the first Thanksgiving ever, at least we will have delicious pie.  At this point in the pandemic, we have to find our happiness where we can.  And the pie is really good!

The internet started to go out the morning of 11/22/2020.  Not at my house, but at the Church and so I quickly became the presented of the Worship Slides and, after a few missteps early on (how could I have forgotten to share the sound?!?!?!?), I think the service went pretty well.  Am glad to be the backup person and glad our proactive planning meant only a brief pause in this morning's service.  It made me think of my 2020 Hindsight for the 327th day of 2020, Agility.  I am always impressed with Pastor Michael's ability to flex to what the situation has dealt him.  Both online and when in the Church.  And it made me think of what we are doing at work.  The project timeline is getting tight and, with each obstacle thrown our way, we have had to be agile (my colleague says this word all the time) and try to make the best out of it.  I think I need to do this not just at Church and Work, but also in all aspects of life.  So much of the future ...

I know I have written about kindness often in my daily reflections and, on the 326th day of 2020, I am going to do so, again.  Because I spent a lot of the day on 11/21/2020 online with advisees in Zoom sessions.  We are discussing life, and classes, and plans, etc.  And I noted, while we were talking, that many of these students were so hard on themselves.  Apologizing for things that need no apology, calling themselves "dumb", questioning their place at Penn.  My 2020 Hindsight is again, Be Kind (to yourself, too!)  I tried to assure the students that they are not less than anyone else, that they are not "dumb" and that, as pre-major students, it is OK not to be 100% sure of one's plans.  I try to make sure they realize that the skills and efforts that got them in to a place such as Penn are not necessarily the same skills and efforts that will being them success at Penn (or in life for that matter).  And then, I realized, I could say the same t...

It was in the evening of the 325rh day of 2020 as I was leaving my house to drive with my daughter that I realized that this was the first time, since Monday, that I had left my house.  Between Covid precautions, working from home, and advising sessions in advance of Spring 2021 registration (33 of 34 already scheduled, 20 completed (plus 3 of my Juniors and an extra for good measure)) I just have been spending most of my time sitting here at the computer.  But, on 11/20/2020, we ordered dinner takeout from one of our favorite Italian restaurants and, when Alexa got home from work, we had family time and caught up on most of our DVRed shows.  And it made me realize my 2020 Hindsight tonight is Home is where the Heart is.  Yeah, we're inside more than we're used to these days, but I feel blessed by the roof over our head, a house that I like to be in, and a family I love to be with.  Look around and count your blessings, you will feel better when you do!

The 324th day of 2020 is also National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day.  I know this holiday on 11/19/2020 is likely a made up marketing ploy.  But when I heard, from Breakfast with the Beatles, that this was one of today's "optional holidays" it made me think.  It used to be a rare day when I did not have a carbonated, caffeinated beverage.  My obsession with Coke Zero bordered on unhealthy and when I felt it crossed that border, on April 23, 2018, I vowed to take a Coke Zero Cleanse.  I told Sarah I was going to go 30 days without drinking Coke Zero and her response was that it would take MUCH longer than that.  So, I decided I would just stop.  Cold Turkey.  My 2020 Hindsight is 941 days.  It has been 941 days since my last Coke Zero and, in fact, I have not had an artificially sweetened beverage since.  I stopped my Diet Green Tea (much to Turkey Hill and Wawa's chagrin) and no more Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite Zero, etc. ...

 I am happy that it's a Leap Year in 2020.  Because, now 11/18/2020 is also day #323 (palindrome!) which makes me even happier on the day that two of my dearest friends were born.  Yes, Brian and Christina celebrated their birthdays today and I got a bunch of nice photo albums from Facebook and shared them with them.  And it made me reflect on all of good times we have spent together and all of the times they have been there for me in my times of need.  Yes, I am blessed to count them among a myriad of friends who have supported me, laughed with me, and offered me words of advice and sometimes consolation.  I hope that we can stay connected and that I can return the favor.  My 2020 Hindsight is that's what friends are for.  Take a minute to phone a friend you have and let them know you are thinking of them and appreciate them!  And, let's let Dionne Warwick and Friends sing about it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66Qkf2Jm6pc

I feel like the world is swirling around me on the 322nd day of 2020.  I am trying not to watch the news on 11/17/2020.  Instead, I want to focus on the music of a Beatle!  I am, instead, going to focus on the words of John Lennon with Yoko Ono.  my 2020 Hindsight is Give Peace a Chance.  Let's look past all of the crazy and look forward to better days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acb15JsCGSk&ab_channel=YokoOno

I awoke on the 321st day of 2020 and received a text I knew could come but was hoping it wouldn't.  On 11/16/2020, I found out that, yesterday, a wonderful friend and colleague has passed away.  Death is hard and there is a saying, which is my 2020 Hindsight: The Good Die Young.  I guess the song by Billy Joel said ONLY the Good Die Young but I am pretty sure we think that because no matter when good people die, it is too soon, and they are too young.  There were a lot of sighs and tears today as the day went along, but, for a memorial webpage, I went through some pictures of when we worked together in the Registrar's Office and so there were also smiles.  Death is hard, but it also allows us to look back and smile at the good times we had together.  Sighs, Tears, Smiles, Memories...... Death is hard.  And we can't let this go by without referencing the song by Billy....... Death is hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERWREcPIoPA&ab_channel=Rocki...

Here we are at the end of another weekend.  Sigh, a Monday-Eve.  And I feel like 11/15/2020 (and 11/14 for that matter) have flown by.  It's funny how the weekdays can seem so long and the weekend days fly by.  On the 320th day of 2020, my 2020 Hindsight is that weekend time flies.  I am not sure if it is even always having fun.  But Saturday and Sunday sure do seem short.  Here's hoping the upcoming weekdays do not drag on to long......(but they likely will).

The 319th day of 2020 was supposed to be Homecoming on Penn's Campus.  But, sadly, because of the pandemic (thanks, Covid!), we are not gathering in large numbers on campus (or anywhere, for that matter) these days.  But, on 11/14/20, thanks to the Penn Band Sports Board (Alumni Board), we had a really fun Zoom event (when three hours go by and you never realized it was that long!)  During the event, of course, there was hilarity in the chat.  And then, at one point, I read a funny chat sequence to Sarah and she started to laugh, and then _I_ started to laugh, and then she started to laugh harder, and then I laughed so hard I got lightheaded!  :-)  My 2020 Hindsight is a Good Laugh.  This was the hardest I laughed during the pandemic and I am glad we could all get together, as Penn Band Nation, for Homecoming, even if it was through the Ether........Keep laughing everyone!

As a young couple, Sarah and I used to watch the house (and dogs) of my co-worker, Pam, when she and her family went to the Shore for a week in July.  Later on, after Alexa was born, and then Anna, Pam's daughter Ilene used to babysit them, especially in the Summer.  And, on the 318th day of 2020, the circle was completed as Alexa babysat for Ilene and watched her son tonight.  My 2020 Hindsight on 11/13/2020 is The Circle of Life.  Happy to be so connected and happy that the circle could be completed tonight.  Looking forward to more concentric circles in the years to come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GibiNy4d4gc&ab_channel=DisneyMusicVEVO

You know, there are holidays that have been created for every day of the year and I often use them as inspiration for my daily reflections.  I did that again on the 317th day of 2020.  Apparently 11/12/2020 is National Mom and Dad's Day.  And, that made me smile.  My 2020 Hindsight is my Mom and Dad.  Sadly, we were so busy tonight, we did not get on the video messaging with them tonight, but we will remedy that tomorrow!  I am lucky and blessed to have such an amazing Mom and Dad and, while I am sad that 2020 will be the only year of my life during which I never will see them in person, I am also lucky and blessed to have the technology to stay in contact and to share pictures, memories, stories, troubles, laughs, and smiles!  I will have to make it up for them tomorrow, that we were so busy today. LOVE YOU Mom and Dad!

11/11/2020 is Veteran's Day.  I, myself, have never served in the Armed Forces, but I have great respect for those who do/have.  So, even though I had to work on the 316th day during this Federal Holiday, I never stopped thinking about, and appreciating, Veterans.  This is a picture I have reflected on many times on Veterans Day, but it never gets old.  It is a picture of my Mom's Dad's Father and many of my Grandfather's brothers (but not my Grandfather, he was too young).  The subtitle is "Bill Bechtel and His Boys."  My 2020 Hindsight is Thank You for Your Service!  Thanks to my G-Gpop, and My Great Uncles, and my Uncle Ron, and all of my friends who have served our country (at risk of missing a few: Thank You Dan Bigelow, Casey Troutman, Jessica Lynn, Kathryn M. Fenton, Kevin Ponder, Joe Evans, Kevin Lenkowski, and I am sure many more!)  Thank You and God Bless you and your families and all who have served.

I spent a lot of the non-work portion of the 315th of 2020 waiting.  But it's OK.  I realize on 11/10/2020, that waiting is OK.  All things that are worth anything are worth waiting for.  My 2020 Hindsight is Waiting is the Hardest Part.  It's OK, Change is Gonna' Come.  And Tom Petty can tell us about waiting... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg&ob=av2e

So I was on PTO on the 314th day of 2020.  I have to use my PTO days or I will "burn them."  So, on 11/9/2020, I got a lot of errands done.  And one of them included going to the Post Office and mailing something to my parents.  as I walked into the local office, I was determined to show my appreciation.  The USPS is filled with so many dedicated workers who have made the Post Office the most trusted of all Federal services.  My 2020 Hindsight is Going Postal.  No, not in an angry way, in an appreciative way.  Like the hoards in the Brooklyn Streets who cheered a postal truck as it drove by.  When the postman comes every day, as Skylar is barking her head off, I make sure I yell thank you out the window.  Showing appreciation to people who likely rarely hear good feedback is important.  Thank you, USPS!

What a week it has been!  What a Fall Election Season!  What a Year (2020, UGH!)  So I was relieved on the 313th day of 2020 when the theme of our church service this morning was about finding time to rest.  And I am tired so, on 11/8/2020, my 2020 Hindsight is Time to Rest.  Take the time.  Breathe in, Breathe out!  We all need the rest!

The 312th day of 2020 was filled with celebrations.  After a morning swim, I came home to see celebrating in the street as the 2020 Election has finally come to an end.  And then I went to the best celebration of the day!  My friend Erin and her fiancée Lori were married, legally, on 11/7/2020.     And that makes me happier than anything else that could have happened today.  So my 2020 Hindsight is  Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate).  And, with apologies to Greer Cheeseman, here is Kool (and the Gang!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M

The 311th day of 2020 brought the end of a long a tumultuous week.  And, yet, we still do not have closure.  My 2020 Hindsight for 11/6/2020 I'm Blue.  No, not sad (although, as I said yesterday, I am still disappointed at what was not rejected by the American people this cycle), but I am dressed in blue.  I will continue to wear blue until we know how everything will shake out.  I sure hope I see more blue than red in the next few days.  And, I'll admit, I wanted to have this as my theme just as much for the accompanying song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68ugkg9RePc&ab_channel=BlissCorporation

It's been hard to find reflective words these past few days.  On the 310th day of 2020, I realized that I never made a post last night.  I was tired, I admit, but I also did not have much to say.  They say, if you do not have anything nice to say, you should not say anything at all.  And, on 11/5/2020, I really do not have much nice to say about what I am seeing on the news and what I realize this country has NOT done (fully rejected racism, corruption, misogyny, etc.)  So I do not want to post a downer daily reflection TOO often so, my 2020 Hindsight is nothing much to say.  Better to keep my mouth shut and continue to post cute pics of my dog <3.

11/3/2020 is the 44th Tuesday of 2020 and the 308th day of 2020.  It also is, apparently, a big day in US Politics.  But I refuse to allow myself to be stressed tonight about the incomplete election results.  This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint.  So, instead, my 2020 Hindsight is Blue Skies, because I am going to focus on the relaxing thoughts of a pure blue sky and also remember the beautiful sunset this evening.  Calm (maybe before the storm) is the way tonight.  And Frank and Dean can sing me to sleep. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1c0pEyVVHI&ab_channel=FrankSinatra-Topic

Mondays are always long days for me.  Chiropractor, Work, Meetings, Email, Work, Email, Band Board Meeting, Church Admin Meeting, whew, tiring.  BUT, after almost 12 hours of straight Zooms on the 307th day of 2020, I willingly stayed online for the Prayer Service tonight.  Because, on 11/2/2020, I felt that we needed to pray and center ourselves amidst the chaos and vitriol.  My 2020 Hindsight tonight is prayers for the country.  No matter what happens, they are certainly needed!

I cried a lot during Church on the 306th day of 2020.  Because 11/1/2020 was the All Saint's Day Service at Old First.  But it was not just the memories and images of those who have gone before us that got me teary, Pastor Michael provided a great video, for the Time with the Children, of kids giving advice for our next President.  The purity of the kids, and their honest advice also made me cry, in this time of chaos and vitriol on the airwaves and the internet.  My 2020 Hindsight is For all the Saints, those who preceded us and the hopes for those who will follow.  As we head into a week which will surely billed filled with a lot of sturm and drang, I wanted to share the video with you all, for your enjoyment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZujE7ym-q0&ab_channel=WFYIOnline